Window screen latching device



y 1964 w. M. JORDAN, SR 3,

WINDOW SCREEN LATCHING DEVICE Filed Oct. 6. 1961 k 1E *ygzywwv I l I5 i l i If I6 i H M 9 13 n I4 8 Q Q Fig.4 \IO/ I :7

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rum/rm 20 WENDELL M. JORDAN,Sr.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,142,504 WINDQW SCREEN LATQHING DEVICE Wendell M. Jordan, Sin, Glenlield, Pan, assignor of onehalf to Green Engineering Company, Sewiclrley, 1%.,

and one-half to Chamherlin of Pittsburgh, lino, Pittshnrgh, Pa.

Filed (Oct. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 143,484 1 Claim. (Ci. 29222(l) This invention relates to a window screen latching device, and, more particularly, to a tamper-proof latching device for use on either inside mounted or outside mounted screens to prevent access from either inside or outside by unauthorized persons.

In conventionally used window screens, the latch or lock for preventing removal is readily accessible from the inside of the screen. This, however, is unsuitable in many installations such as mental institutions, wherein it is desirable to prevent escape from the institution by immates as the result of tampering with window screen latches.

Locks for this purpose may be used, however, they are generally undesirable since they are complicated in construction and add appreciably to the cost of the screen installation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel window screen latching device which is devoid of the above mentioned disadvantages of conventionally used window latches in installations in which it is desirable to make the latch tamperproof, both inside and out, particularly on one side.

A further object of the invention is to provide a window screen latching device including a spring biased latch which is inaccessible and inoperable except by use of a specially constructed tool or key.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive latching device which is totally concealed and tamper-proof, but which can be easily and quickly operated by authorized persons simply by the use of a small tool.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a study of the following description taken with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an inside mounted screen embodying a latching device 8 constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an outside mounted screen embodying a latching device constructed in accordance to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the latch and surrounding structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV IV of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a tool or key of hexagonal cross-section for operating the latching device.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawing, numeral 1 denotes a window frame having a window stool 2 as viewed from the inside of a building. An inside mounted screen 4, mounted on a screen frame 3, is provided, which frame, if desired, maybe pivotally mounted by hinges 7. Latching devices 8, of the construction shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, are preferably provided on opposite sides of the screen frame as shown to prevent unauthorized removal of the screen by persons, such as mental inmates, within the building.

FIG. 2 shows a construction identical to FIG. 1 except that numeral 1a denotes the outside surface of the frame and 2a denotes a masonry sill of an outside mounted screen, instead of an inside mounted one as shown in FIG. 1. Latching devices 8 are provided for preventing removal of the screen by unauthorized persons at the outside of the building.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the details of latching device 8 when mounted as shown in FIG. 1. The latching device is in the form of an integral extension provided on the screen frame 3 and comprises a channel-shaped portion for enclosing a plastic spline 5 for securely holding the edge portion 5a of screen 4 taut and in place. A face plate 9, which may be of an inch thick, for example, is rigidly attached to frame 3 by rivets 10 or other suitable securing means. A second channel shaped extension of frame 3 encloses an Allen Head socket pin 12 having an Allen Head 11 provided with a well or recess of octagonal shape or of other polygonal shape for receiving the end of an operating tool or key 19 as shown in FIG. 5. A tension spring 13 is provided and one end of which abuts against the bottom portion of said channel, the other end being anchored in or abuts latch bolt 14, of aluminum or other suitable material, so as to spring bias bolt 14 into the latching position against the bottom surface of a groove 15, as shown more clearly in FIG. 3. The shank of pin 12 may be square so as to fit a correspondingly shaped hole in bolt 14. Groove 15 is formed in a keeper 16 which may be of solid aluminum or other suitable material, which keeper is rigidly fastened to frame 1 by means of countersunk Phillips Heads wood screw 17 or other suitable fastening means, such as expansion screws. It should be particularly noted that face plate 9 completely covers keeper 16 and prevents tampering, such as by inserting a knife or screw driver, in the space between the keeper and frame 3, as might be attempted by unauthorized persons for the purpose of pivotally turning bolt 14 from the latching position, shown, to the unlatching position 14 shown in dot and dash lines.

In operation, assume that the inside mounted screen, shown in FIG. 1, is in the latched position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and that it is desired by an authorized attendant to remove the screen, to permit cleaning of the window or for any other reason. The attendant grasps the long portion of the tool or key 19, shown in FIG. 5, and inserts the small bent end portion into the well 12 and then, with leverage, turns bolt 14 against the action spring 13 until it is retracted to the unlatched position 14 Now the screen frame 3 and face plate 9 rigidly secured thereto may be pulled away from the keeper 16 to permit removal of the screen. Of course, when it is desired to replace the screen, bolt 14 is first turned by key 19 to the unlatched position, whereupon the latching device 8 is moved into place. Then by releasing key 19, spring 13 yieldingly turns bolt 14 to the latching position. Hole 29 at the end of tool or key 19 enables holding thereof in a key ring.

The latching device 8 may also be used for outside mounted screens, as shown in FIG. 2, the construction of the latching device remaining the same.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an eflicient window screen latching device which prevents access from either the inside or outside of the screen by unauthorized persons and which can be operated solely and simply by the use of a specially shaped tool or key; furthermore, I have provided a window screen latching device which is of relatively simple and inexpensive construction and which requires practically no maintenance and yet which is totally concealed and tamper-proof; furthermore, I have provided a window screen latch which provides a high degree of security against removal by unauthorized persons.

While I have illustrated and described a single embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration only, and that various changes and 3 modifications may be made within the contemplation of my invention and Within the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

A fool-proof window screen latch for latching, a screen frame including means for securely holding the edge of the screen, said screen frame having an integral, channel shaped outside portion along its outer periphery, said latch comprising a pivot mounted on the sides of said channel shaped portion, a bolt having one end which turns on said pivot, a spring for biasing said bolt in the latched position, a keeper in the form of a separate U- shaped channel attached to a window frame and slightly spaced from said screen frame and into which said bolt is adapted to project into the latching position, a face 41 screen frame and covering said channel and the space between the channel and frame, said pivot having a recessed head portion of polygonal shape to receive a tool to effect turning of said bolt against the action of said spring to retract the bolt from latching position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,380,503 Slind June 7, 1921 1,525,981 Chadwick Feb. 10, 1925 2,776,002 Conrad Jan. 1, 1957 OTHER REFERENCES Abel, German application Ser. No. M17294, printed plate secured to and covering the outer surface of said 5 Aug. 16, 1956 (K1. 68b). 

